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Friday, 18 April 2008

Obscenity and nudity in The Times of India news daily

For some times, I have observed that 'The Times of India' is giving more space to nudity and obscene photographs and news stories. It all begin with small pics of some glamour dolls in ‘News Digest’ (first page) or in graffiti (last page). Then it was Page 2 ‘cinema gossips’ where every other day a nude picture of Holly/Bollywood diva is posted.
Now, it’s even in the main news item that TOI doesn't miss a chance to print obscene, indecent, and lewd pictures. Quite ironically, tt all began under a beautiful name of ‘Save the Girl Child’ and see where has TOI gone. Is it necessary to print naked female figures to save the girls and women? Every now and then TOI bring sensual story in the name of ‘save the girl child’. Their representation of the story which is illustrated with similar kind of picture is so lascivious, voyeuristic and libidinous that at times it raises serious suspicions in the mind of readers. What is the intention of TOI in ‘Save the Girl Child’ campaign? Is it really to save girls and women or to give worst schemes and designs to woo, seduce and molest more girls and women?
What happened in Patan or is happening with females in society is a matter of a grave concern. But is it proper to give such a prurient coverage of entire episode? Worst were the photographs TOI printed with these stories.
Similarly, in the coverage of love affairs of political leaders of France and Russia, is not TOI crossing the boundaries of decency and decorum? If your answer is no, have a look at the nude pictures of their love ladies posted in TOI. After ogling over the pictures, if you don’t agree with me, ogle again with your parents and children.
The Times of India has the largest circulation in India. It is most read English daily in India. It’s not because of chauvinist approach to sexism. It is because of respect and reverence this news paper has in the eyes of readers. Is not TOI falling in high opinion and esteem of readers? Is not the value and worth of TOI decreasing because of such news items and photographs? If TOI is viewing to increase viewer ship by such mean attempt, I would say that those who are viewed as target readers for such content are surely not reading TOI. There ia a lot of such stuffs available in market ( and almost free on web), which is far ‘better’ than what TOI offers.

“…Now, it’s in main news item that TOI don’t miss a chance to print obscene, indecent, and lewd pictures. It all began under a beautiful name of ‘Save the Girl Child’ and see where has TOI gone. Is it necessary to print naked female figures to save the girls and women? Every now and then TOI bring sensual story in the name of ‘save the girl child’. Their representation of the story which is illustrated with similar kind of picture is so lascivious, voyeuristic and libidinous that at times it raises serious suspicions in the mind of reader. What is the intention of TOI in ‘Save the Girl Child’ campaign? Is it really to save girls and women or to give worst schemes and designs to woo, seduce and molest more girls and women..”.

How can TOI get away with this sort of journalism? Is there no Press Council which can take action? Or is Press Council powerless?